Apparatus for treating a substance with wave energy from an electrical arc and a second source

ABSTRACT

A substance is treated using a device having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is directed to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources as the substance passes through the device.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/279,547 filed on Sep. 20, 2016 and entitled“Method for Treating a Substance with Wave Energy from an Electrical Arcand a Second Source”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,446,371, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/186,772filed on Jul. 20, 2011 and entitled “System for Treating a Substancewith Wave Energy from an Electrical Arc and a Second Source”, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,764,978, which is a continuation-in-part application of bothU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/949,745 filed on Nov. 18, 2010 andentitled “System for Treating Fluids with Wave Energy from an ElectricalArc”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,110,100, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/577,130 filed on Oct. 9, 2009 and entitled “Plasma Whirl ReactorApparatus and Methods of Use”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,324,523.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/949,745 is a divisional applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,326 filed on Apr. 5, 2007 andentitled “System, Method and Apparatus for Treating Fluids with WaveEnergy from an Electrical Arc”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,857,972, which is:(a) a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/935,786 filed on Sep. 7, 2004 and entitled “Treatment of Fluidswith Wave Energy from a Carbon Arc”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,695, whichis a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 60/500,445 filed on Sep. 5, 2003; (b) a non-provisional applicationof U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/789,670 filed on Apr. 5,2006 and entitled “System, Method and Apparatus for Treating Liquidswith Wave Energy from an Electrical Arc”.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/577,130 is a continuation patentapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/196,466 filed on Jul.15, 2002 and entitled “Plasma Whirl Reactor Apparatus and Methods ofUse”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,693, which is a non-provisional patentapplication of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/305,833 filedon Jul. 16, 2001.

This patent application is related to: (a) U.S. patent applicationSer.No. 12/949,736 filed on Nov. 18, 2010 and entitled “Method forTreating Liquids with Wave Energy from an Electrical Arc”; (b) U.S. Pat.No. 7,578,937; (c) U.S. Pat. No. 7,897,053; (d) U.S. Pat. No. 7,985,342;(e) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,327 filed on Apr. 5, 2007and entitled “System, Method and Apparatus for Treating Liquids withWave Energy from Plasma”; (f) U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/166,408 filed on Jul. 2, 2009 and entitled “Treatment of Fluids withWave Energy from a Carbon Arc”; and (g) U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/506,037 filed on Jul. 20, 2009 and entitled “Treatment of Fluids withWave Energy from a Carbon Arc”.

All of the foregoing patents and patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of treatingsubstances, and more particularly, to a system, method and apparatus fortreating substances with wave energy produced from an electrical arc anda second source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is describedin connection with treating substances in particular drinking water,wastewater, beverages, juices, milk, emulsions, ballast water, bilgewater, cooling tower water, process water, mill water, raw sewage, crudeoil, hydrocarbon streams, black liquor and any pumpable substance, as anexample. During the past decade the need for alternatives tochlorination of drinking water and wastewater effluent has increased indramatic fashion. This is primarily due to emerging pathogenicmicroorganisms that are resistant to many oxidants such as chlorine, aswell as the problems associated with the byproducts formed by reactingchlorine with organics found in drinking water sources.

For example, many drinking water sources contain organic matter. Whenthe organic matter is chlorinated the byproducts are a group ofcompounds referred to as trihalomethanes (THMs), some of which causecancer. Consequently, this has led the US

EPA to promulgate new disinfection regulations regarding both pathogenicmicroorganisms and the formation of THMs. Currently, there is an unmetdemand for a simple and cost-effective alternative to supplementchlorination that can also be used for treating other water streams. Forexample, one such alternative disinfection system is the use ofultraviolet (UV) radiation to augment chlorination. Likewise, UVradiation can replace chlorination chambers in wastewater treatmentplants, since the effluent must be decholorinated which requires anadditional chemical such as sulfur dioxide. Two other large volumestreams that can be treated with UV radiation are ballast water fromships and combined sewer overflows (CSO).

Heretofore water treatment systems that incorporate UV radiation havebeen constructed of a lamp housed within a quartz sleeve. Examples ofprior UV radiation systems include low pressure or medium pressuremercury arc lamps. One of the main problems with existing UV radiationsystems that incorporate mercury arc lamps is that they fail to maximizethe use of electricity. More particularly, by utilizing only the energyin the form of UV radiation converted from the electricity used in theoverall electrical circuit—the lamp—is inefficient and requires higherdoses of UV radiation than are necessary if more of the electricalenergy in the electrical circuit could be utilized for pathogeninactivation or treatment of pollutants. For example, a typical UV lampmay convert only 30% to 40% of the electricity used in the lamp into UVradiation. In addition, these lamps contain mercury, which is apollutant that can be transferred via the food chain.

In addition, any UV radiation system incorporating a “bulb” is prone toburn out. Furthermore, over time the glass or quartz envelope and thebulb become solarized due to the UV light. In addition, over time thequartz envelope that houses the lamp becomes dirty. The quartz tube mustbe removed and cleaned manually if it does not include a wiper systemfor in-situ cleaning of the tube. Consequently, the effectiveness of theUV radiation system to inactivate cryptosporidium is reduced over timeas the lamp ages and the quartz sleeve or envelope becomes dirty.

Moreover, there is an emerging pathogen of concern, mycobacteria, thatis resistant to chlorine and many biocides. Likewise, mycobacteriainactivation requires a higher dose of UV light than eitherCryptosporidium and Giardi. In addition, low doses of UV light cannot beapplied to meet sterilization or pasteurization guidelines as set forthby the US FDA, USDA and UPH. The terms disinfection and sterilizationare clearly defined and differentiated by several regulator agencies.

Accordingly, there is a need for a wave energy water treatment systemthat is compact and portable, yet does not use mercury. In addition,there is a need for a wave energy water treatment system that is energyefficient, rugged, low maintenance and compact. Likewise, there is aneed for a wave energy system that can also remove fine sediment orreduce turbidity in water. In addition, there is a need for adisinfection system that can also phase separate material of variousdensities from that of water, such as oil and grease, wood, leaves, andplastic bottles from water. Furthermore, there is a need for reducingorganic matter in water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus fortreating substances with wave energy from an electrical arc that: (1) iscompact and portable, yet does not use mercury; (2) is energy efficient,rugged, low maintenance and compact; (3) can also remove fine sedimentor reduce turbidity in water; (4) can also phase separate material ofvarious densities from that of water, such as oil and grease, wood,leaves, and plastic bottles from water; and/or (5) can reduce organicmatter in water. The substance can be drinking water, wastewater,beverages, juices, milk, emulsions, ballast water, bilge water, coolingtower water, process water, mill water, raw sewage, crude oil,hydrocarbon streams, black liquor or any pumpable substance. The presentinvention can operate in remote areas of the world that can delivervarious forms of wave energy to the water and contaminants, and notsimply UV radiation, that would aid in decomposing organics andproducing a potable water source, which is needed immediately throughoutthe world. In addition, the present invention can be operated withoutline power by using a wind turbine or photovoltaic cells, which allowsfor remote treatment of water and wastewater without the need of agenerator or line power.

The present invention generates a whirlpool or cyclonic flow and one ormore wave energies in the “eye” “plasma core” or “hollow gas core” ofthe whirlpool. The present invention treats the substances or fluids byfirst irradiating the fluid with a plasma arc centrally located withinthe gas core of the whirling fluid, then second forming a thin film withthe fluid and irradiating the thin film fluid and third reflecting thewave energy in order to increase the dose of wave energy absorbed by thefluid or matter within the fluid. The present invention can also providean advanced oxidation/reduction process (AORP) for treating fluidsutilizing a semi-conductor catalyst. Likewise, the present inventionincludes a means for introducing charged nano metals and minerals aswell as carbon for treating water. Additionally, the present inventionincludes a phase separation mechanism.

The present invention, which will be described in detail below, providessuperior wave energy delivery to the substance to be treated, a superiormethod for stripping and destroying volatiles in-situ and a method forsubjecting fluids, contaminants and pathogens to several forms of waveenergy simultaneously. In addition, the present invention provides amechanism for treating substances with several forms of wave energy,such as ultraviolet radiation, vacuum ultraviolet radiation, infraredradiation, visible light radiation, microwave radiation, infraredradiation, sonic energy, ultrasonic energy, electrolysis or acombination thereof. Additionally, the present invention provides amechanism for generating an oxidant or free radicals in-situ.Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a unique approach fordisinfecting and filtering water within the same system. Hence, by thepresent invention's novel wave energy method for treating substances byeliminating the lamp, and using a carbon arc in combination with awhirling fluid, a system can be designed to treat very low flow ratesusing a wind turbine or photovoltaic cells to recharge DC batteries,while scaling up to treat volumes of water currently unheard of by usingvery large DC power supplies and graphite rods, commonly found withinthe foundry industry—carbon arc furnaces.

Accordingly, the present invention to treats substances with severalforms of wave energy at wavelengths, focus, intensity and residencetimes that is superior to prior methods. The present invention uses theconservation of angular momentum to first form a whirling fluid thatincreases in velocity, then expands outwardly to form a thin film upsidedown whirlpool or funnel, generally shaped in the form of an umbrella orparabolic reflector. The present invention also overcomes residence timeand absorbance phenomena associated with photochemical reactions.

More specifically, the present invention provides a method for treatinga substance using a device. Each device has: (a) a volute or cyclonehead having an inlet and an outlet, (b) a throat having a first opening,a second opening and a central axis, wherein the first opening isconnected to the outlet of the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolicreflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, whereinthe opening is connected to the second opening of the throat such thatthe vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and thefocus is not located within the throat, (d) a first wave energy sourcecomprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head thatextends through the outlet into the first opening of the throat alongthe central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending intothe parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the secondelectrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and(e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embeddedwithin the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance isdirected into the device through the inlet of the volute or cyclone headsuch that the substance exits the device through the opening at thevertex of the parabolic reflector. The substance is irradiated with oneor more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energysources as the substance passes through the device.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an Arc Whirl® device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an Arc Whirl® cyclone separator in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an Arc Whirl® gas-sparged hydrocyclone in accordancewith a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an Arc Whirl® gas-sparged pipe with tangential flowin accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an Arc Whirl® volute in accordance with fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an Arc Whirl® hydrocyclone reflector in accordancewith a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an Arc Whirl® hydrocyclone reflector conduit inaccordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates multiple Arc Whirls® in tank in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an Arc Whirl® with sand filter in accordance with aninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another method of treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate various embodiments of an Arc Whirl® having astraight throat and a second wave energy source in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate various embodiments of an Arc Whirl® having acone shaped throat and a second wave energy source in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of another method of treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of another method of treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention. The discussion herein relates primarily to treatingsubstances, solids and substance/solid mixtures, but it will beunderstood that the concepts of the present invention are applicable totreating any substance regardless of its form (e.g., a solid, a liquid,a gas or a mixture thereof).

The term “wave energy” is used herein to include radiation as well aswave energies transmitted by various mediums, and embraceselectromagnetic waves or radiations; sonic, supersonic, and ultrasonicwaves; and neutrons, protons, deuteron, and other corpuscularradiations. The term “electromagnetic waves” (also commonly referred toas electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”)) includes, e.g., X-ray andgamma-ray, ultraviolet, infra red, and visible light rays, microwave,and both short electric and radio waves.

The present invention can be operated in many different modes fortreating substances. A partial list of applications for treating matterrange from IR heating to chemical conversion. The term “chemicalconversion” as used herein includes the terms cracking, reforming,gasification, combustion, oxidation, reduction, etc. Simply put achemical conversion with respect to the present invention means a“chemical reaction.” Likewise the present invention allows forcomminution such as grinding, crushing, grating, granulating, milling,disintegration, attrition, trituration, pulverization, etc. In itsbroadest meaning, the term “comminution” as used herein will also meanatomization. In addition, in its broadest meaning the Plasma ArcWhirl®is a whirling fluid that allows for separating material based upondensity. The terms vortex, cyclone, tornado, whirlpool, whirl, swirl,etc. are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to a mass offluid with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity orvacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity orvacuum bodies subject to its action. In other words, the term “whirl,vortex, tornado or cyclone” as used in the present invention applies toa region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have anangular velocity or angular momentum.

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus fortreating matter with wave energy from an electrical arc and a secondwave energy source that: (1) is compact and portable, yet does not usemercury; (2) is energy efficient, rugged, low maintenance and compact;(3) can also remove fine sediment or reduce turbidity in water; (4) canalso phase separate material of various densities from that of water,such as oil and grease, wood, leaves, and plastic bottles from water;and/or (5) can reduce organic matter in water. The substance can bedrinking water, wastewater, beverages, juices, milk, emulsions, ballastwater, bilge water, cooling tower water, process water, mill water, rawsewage, crude oil, hydrocarbon streams, black liquor or any pumpablesubstance. The present invention can operate in remote areas of theworld that can deliver various forms of wave energy to the water andcontaminants, not simply UV radiation, and would aid in decomposingorganics and produce potable water that is needed immediately throughoutthe world. In addition, the present invention can be operated withoutline powers and generators by using a wind turbine or photovoltaiccells, which allows for remote treatment of water and wastewater.

The present invention generates a whirlpool or cyclonic flow and one ormore wave energies in the “eye” or “hollow gas core” of the whirlpool.The present invention treats the substances or fluids by firstirradiating the fluid with a plasma arc centrally located within the gascore of the whirling fluid, then second forming a thin film with thefluid and irradiating the thin film fluid and third reflecting the waveenergy in order to increase the dose of wave energy absorbed by thefluid or matter within the fluid. The present invention can also providean advanced oxidation/reduction process (AORP) for treating fluidsutilizing a semi-conductor catalyst. Likewise, the present inventionincludes a means for introducing charged nano metals and minerals aswell as carbon for treating water. Additionally, the present inventionincludes a phase separation means.

The present invention, which will be described in detail below, providessuperior wave energy delivery to the fluid to be treated, a superiormethod for stripping and destroying volatiles in-situ and a method forsubjecting fluids, contaminants and pathogens to several forms of waveenergy simultaneously. In addition, the present invention provides amechanism for treating matter with several forms of wave energy, such asultraviolet radiation, vacuum ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation,visible light radiation, microwave radiation, infrared radiation, sonicenergy, ultrasonic energy, electrolysis or a combination thereof.Additionally, the present invention provides a mechanism for generatingan oxidant or free radicals in-situ. Furthermore, the present inventionutilizes a unique approach for disinfecting and filtering water withinthe same system. Hence, by the present invention's novel wave energymethod for treating fluids by eliminating the lamp, and using a carbonarc in combination with a whirling fluid. A system can be designed totreat very low flow rates using a wind turbine or photovoltaic cells torecharge DC batteries, while scaling up to treat volumes of watercurrently unheard of by using very large DC power supplies and graphiterods, commonly found within the foundry industry—carbon arc furnaces.

Accordingly, the present invention treats substances or fluids withseveral forms of wave energy at wavelengths, focus, intensity andresidence times that is superior to prior methods. The present inventionuses the conservation of angular momentum to first form a whirling fluidthat increases in velocity, then expands outwardly to form a thin filmupside down whirlpool or funnel, generally shaped in the form of anumbrella or parabolic reflector. The present invention also overcomesresidence time and absorbance phenomena associated with photochemicalreactions.

Prior art wave energy, in particular EMR, devices and methods, aredesigned for a given flow rate range. Simply put, the photochemicalreactor has a known volume, and based upon the volume of the reactor thenumber of EMR sources which are needed to effect a reaction over aspecified time period is calculated and commonly referred to asresidence time (RT). Normally the EMR sources are continuous wavesources such as long linear low-pressure mercury arc lamps, mediumpressure mercury lamps and short-arc HgXe lamps. However, high intensityflash lamps are being employed for substances that are somewhat opaque,such as juices. Since these lamps are rated in watts, then thejoules/second emitted from the lamps can be multiplied by the RT tospecify an effective dose applied to an area (watts/second/area) of thetreated fluid.

For example, the amount of radiation necessary to deactivate bacteria isknown. Thus, simply by working backwards from this known value, incombination with the average population density of the bacteria, thevariable or number of EMR sources and size of the reactor may be easilycalculated. However, problems arise when bacteria counts increase fromthe assumed average value. Either a second reactor must be installed ormore lights must be added to the existing reactor.

The Beer-Lambert Law can be applied to clearly show that a long linearlamp placed inside a conduit would be an ineffective photochemicalreactor. The Beer-Lambert Law and associated equation is significant tophotochemical or wave energy reactor design. Although the followingequation is straightforward, it is often misunderstood and incorrectlyused.

A=ϵbc

Where A is absorbance (no units);

ϵ is the molar absorbtivity with units of L/mole/cm;

b is the path length of the sample (or photochemical reactor length);and

c is the concentration of the compounds in the solution with units ofmoles/liter. Within this law, absorbance is directly proportional to theother parameters. The law indicates that the fraction of the radiationabsorbed by each layer of the fluid is the same. The equation, “A=ϵbc”tells a photochemical reactor designer that absorbance depends on thetotal quantity of the absorbing compound in the radiation path throughthe photochemical reactor. Thus, if a designer refers to percenttransmission (% T) an exponential curve can be generated comparing % Tto pathlength. However, if absorbance is plotted against concentration,a straight line emerges. Thus, the linear relationship betweenconcentration and absorbance is both simple and straightforward.

However, as omni-directional wave energy travels away from its source ina given vessel, in accordance with “A=ϵbc”, the number of photons nearthe wall of the vessel has decreased, but the concentration ofcontaminants within the fluid is equal at any distance from theomni-directional lamp. Thus, if this reactor is designed for bacterialdisinfection, the bacteria near the wave energy source receives agreater amount of energy than the bacteria near the wall of the vessel.As a result, bacteria kill is higher near the wave energy source anddecreases by the square of the distance from the lamp.

Since this is an omni-directional lamp it follows the inverse squarelaw, which states that the intensity of light observed from a source ofconstant intrinsic luminosity falls off in direct proportion to thesquare of the distance from the object. As an example, if 16 W/cm² ismeasured at a distance of 1 meter from a source, 4 W/cm² will bemeasured at 2 meters. The intensity can be similarly calculated at anyother distance. The inverse square law is applicable to variations inintensity without regard to direction from the light source only incases where the light source approximates a point source. However, thesame principle is useful in understanding the decrease in intensity thatoccurs outward from a linear source, such as an elongate bulb, in adirection normal to the axis of the elongate source.

In the context of treating fluids with wave energy, another significantfactor that has a significant effect on treatment efficacy is thedistance that a given wave energy particle, such as a UV light photonwill travel through a material. For example, UV light with a wavelengthof 253.7 nm can penetrate water to a depth of over 24 inches, but a verythin sheet of aluminum foil will block UV light completely. Likewise,turbidity in water will partially block UV light. On the other hand,aluminum can be enhanced to reflect greater than 80% of UV light.Accordingly, all UV light treatment systems are subject to thedisadvantages and obstacles related to absorbance, or penetrationdistance through the fluid being treated. Penetration distance is alsoreferred to as path length. Because of these factors, it can beunderstood that increasing the reactor volume to increase fluidresidence time does not affect or change path length, and does notnecessarily improve treatment effectiveness.

With these factors in mind the present invention can be more readilyunderstood and its novelty and significance more readily appreciated.The present invention overcomes the problems of diminishing intensityand of path length by exposing a thin layer of fluid to wave energy inclose proximity to the energy source.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an Arc Whirl® device 100 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A vessel 102 capableof producing vortex flow as shown by arrow 104, such as a funnel orcyclone, is use to produce a thin film of substance flowing on thevessel wall around a gas core or a plasma core. The shape of the vessel102 and the position and/or type of inlet 106 is not limited to thoseshown in FIG. 1. Instead any combination of shapes or orientations canbe used as long as the vortex flow 104 is created. The central gas core,which is devoid of the substance, is created when the substance, such aswater, is introduced into the vessel 102 via inlet 106 to create thevortex flow 104. Carbon arc rods 108 and 110 are located within thecentral core. A carbon arc 112 is created by extending a filamentbetween the carbon arc rods 108 and 110 to form a dead short when theelectrodes 108 and 110 are connected to a power supply 118.Alternatively, the carbon arc 112 can be created by moving carbon arcrods 108 and 100 together to form a dead short when the electrodes 108and 110 are connected to the power supply 118 and then separating themto “draw” the carbon arc 112. The carbon arc 112 extending between theproximate tips of the carbon rods 108 and 110 produces one or more waveenergies 114, such as deep UV light, to treat the substance. Thesubstance is discharged from the vessel 102 via an exit or outlet 116.

Graphite rods are manufactured in sizes ranging from welding roddiameters of 0.125 inches to diameters of 6 feet for carbon rodscommonly used in electric arc furnaces. Since World War II vintagecarbon arc searchlights are widely available, the present invention caneasily be constructed from that supply of surplus searchlights. Any DCpower source 118 can be used to create a carbon arc from graphite rods.A simple solar powered battery can be used as the DC source 118 for thecarbon arc, which enables the use of inexpensive disinfection systemsfor treating, e.g., drinking water, in remote areas as well as thirdworld countries. The present invention also provides a mechanism for acompact, but extremely powerful, wave energy system for disinfectinghigh flow rate streams such as ship ballast water and large municipaldrinking water and wastewater plant effluent. In contrast to typical UVlight systems, the present invention is not limited in size due to lampconstruction, nor in performance due to solarization of a quartz lampenvelope. In addition, maximum transfer of wave energy occurs in thepresent invention, since the present invention uses an open arc.Furthermore, the present invention makes use of all the forms of waveenergy produced from the carbon arc and not simply just the UV lightirradiated from the plasma or tip of the hot carbon rod.

A vessel 102 that is well suited for creating a vortex for use in thepresent invention for disinfecting and sterilizing using inducedcavitations is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,947 issued to Kucherovon Feb. 1, 2000 and entitled, “Method and Apparatus for Sterilization ofa Continuous Liquid Flow,” which hereby incorporated into the presentdescription in its entirety. The improvement of the present inventionover the teaching of the Kucherov '947 patent includes, withoutlimitation, the factor that the carbon arc of the present invention addsat least two additional forms of wave energy for sterilization—UV lightand free radicals or electrons.

Now referring to FIG. 2, an Arc Whirl® cyclone separator 200 inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. A cyclone separator 202 can easily be modified for thepresent invention. The carbon rods 108 and 110 are inserted in theunderflow 204 and overflow 206 of the cyclone separator 200. Thesubstance is introduced into the cyclone separator 202 via inlet 208.The carbon arc is formed between the rods 108 and 110 within the core ofthe cyclone separator 202 when the carbon rods 108 and 110 are connectedto power supply 118.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an Arc Whirl® gas-sparged hydrocyclone 300 inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. A hydrocyclone with a porous wall 304, referred to as anair-sparged hydrocyclone, can be used as the vessel 302 for the presentinvention. The carbon rods 108 and 110 are inserted in the underflow 204and overflow 206 of the gas-sparged hydrocyclone 300. The substance isintroduced into the vessel 302 via inlet 208. The carbon arc is formedbetween the rods 108 and 110 within the core of the vessel 302 when therods 108 and 110 are connected to power supply 118. Air or gas 306 isintroduced into the vessel 302 via gas inlet 308 connected to the porouswall 304.

The air/gas sparged hydrocyclone 300 aids in stripping volatiles fromthe fluid and induce cavitation, in addition to the creation of a thinfluid film. Air-sparged hydrocyclones 300 can strip hydroscopicmolecules, such as alcohols, from water. Further, the air boundary layerbetween the sparging surface and the fluid reduces friction, thusallowing the fluid to achieve and maintain higher velocities at lowerpump pressures. This has a highly desirable effect if the fluid achievesa velocity sufficient to cavitate. Cavitation is the formation ofbubbles in a substance, followed by a subsequent collapse of the bubble.Cavitation can be viewed as a form of wave energy, because thecavitation creates sonic waves and sonic energy is a form of waveenergy.

Moreover, cavitation can “kill” pathogens, produce chemical reactionsand mix the fluid thoroughly. In addition, the thoroughly mixed fluidtravels through a gas-sparged hydrocyclone 300 in a corkscrew or vortexpath, but as a very thin layer. This thin layer results in a very shortpenetration distance that must be achieved by the wave energy to achieveeffective treatment through the full thickness of substance.Consequently, the available path length for the wave energy in thetreated fluid ceases to be a limitation on treatment effectiveness, andmaximum absorption of wave energy will be achieved. It should beunderstood that wave energy path length and penetration distance are notrelated to or necessarily affected by the length of the vessel.

When the velocity of the substance in a thin film air-spargedhydrocyclone 300 is sufficiently to produce cavitation in the substance,the high level of wave energy from cavitation, in combination with thewave energy generated by the unconfined carbon arc in accordance withthe present invention, can dramatically enhance the performance of waveenergy based substance treatment. The addition of the carbon arc systemdescribed above to any gas sparger system will also provide dramatictreatment improvements from the expanded range of wave energiesgenerated by the unconfined carbon arc.

Note that the use of a gas-sparged hydrocyclone as the vessel for thepresent invention is not simply for the cavitation and strippingeffects. The REVEX™ MTU, for example, produces a very thin fluid film.In combination with the thin fluid layer, the fluid flows in a spiralpath around and along the longitudinal axis of the porous tube componentof that apparatus. This produces a dramatic increase in substanceresidence time within the reactor in comparison to linear flow through areactor of the same length, and allows the use of a compact reactor witha much higher effective treatment capacity than is possible withreactors of the prior art.

Now referring to FIG. 4, an Arc Whirl® gas-sparged pipe with tangentialflow 400 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated. A pipe 402 with porous wall 404 can also be used for thepresent invention. The carbon rods 108 and 110 are inserted in each endof the pipe 402. The substance is introduced into the pipe 402 via inlet406 and allowed to exit via outlet 408. The carbon arc is formed betweenthe rods 108 and 110 within the core of the vessel 402 when rods 108 and110 are connected to power supply 118. Air or gas 306 is introduced intothe vessel 402 via gas inlet 410.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an Arc Whirl® Volute 500 in accordance withfifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A pump voluteor hydrocyclone head 502 is utilized to produce angular momentum. When asubstance, such as water, is introduced into the hydrocyclone as shownby arrow 504 the substance flows in a circle about a central axisforming a whirlpool or whirl flow and generating angular momentum.Hence, the term whirl herein means or is similar to vortex, swirl,cyclone, tornado, hurricane, typhoon or generally any flow havingangular momentum. In applying the method of the present invention, quitesimply electrodes such as carbon or graphite rods 108 and 110 arelocated along the central core or axis of the angular momentumgenerator—the volute 502. One electrode 108 is placed within the volute502 while the other 110 is located outside of a throat 506. Whenreferring to a pump, the throat 506 is actually the pump's suctioninlet. In this example, the throat 506 is straight, but the throat canbe cone shaped (throat 602) as shown in FIG. 6. When in operation waterflows into the volute 502 via arrow 504 and forms whirl flow with an aircore if open to atmosphere. The whirlpool enters into the throat 506 andthe water must increase in velocity due to the conservation of angularmomentum. As soon as the whirlpool exits the throat 506 at an exit point508 the water continues to whirl as shown by arrow 510 but immediatelyexpands outwardly as shown by arrows 512. The whirling water takes on athin film umbrella or thin film upside down funnel shape with a verylarge air core. The unique shape or profile of the whirl method of thepresent invention gives rise to an entirely new method for treatingsubstances. Since a low pressure gas core is formed along the centralaxis, then an arc can be struck and maintained within the central gascore and within the umbrella or upside down funnel. In order to strikean arc and convert the gas core to an arc plasma core, one of theelectrodes 108 can be connected to a pushrod 514 that is connected to anactuator 516. The actuator 516 moves the electrode 108 until it toucheselectrode 110. When electrodes 108 and 110 touch, a dead short formswhen the electrodes108 and 110 are connected to a power supply 118.Next, electrode 108 is retracted thus forcing electrons to flow throughthe gas core and converting the gas core to an ionized gas typicallyreferred to as a plasma. In lieu of moving the electrode 108, thepushrod 514 can move and touch the electrode 110. The pushrod 514 actsas a stinger to pull the arc from one electrode 110 to the otherelectrode 108.

An inert gas such as argon, helium, nitrogen, xeon or neon may be usedin order to reduce oxidation of the electrodes as well as change the EMRspectrum of the plasma. Oxygen may be added to produce ozone and atomicoxygen. Of course any gas can be added and ionized including steam andhydrogen. Once again, the electrodes may be constructed of anyelectrically conductive material and not just carbon.

Now referring to FIG. 6, an Arc Whirl® Hydrocyclone Reflector 600 inaccordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The novelty of the present invention lies within the poweror wave energy generated by the carbon arc and the plasma 612 incombination with the unique shape of the whirling substance. The throat602 can be straight as shown in FIG. 5 (throat 506) or cone shaped, suchas a concentric reducer as shown in FIG. 6. When the water expandsoutwardly 512 at exit point 604 as previously stated the water takes theshape of a parabolic upside down funnel. The shape is almost identicalto many common reflectors used throughout the lighting and opticsindustry.

Now when the water pressure and flow rate are increased prior toentering the Arc Whirl®, the umbrella shape will transition to more of acone shape rather than an umbrella or parabolic shape. This of coursedoes not affect the present invention. By adding a reflector 606 to theexit 604, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from the white hotcarbon electrode 110 can be reflected to form a parallel beam as shownby EMR arrows. Reflector 606 may have a coating 608 to increasereflectivity or create a desired chemical reaction. Moreover a gas 614can be introduced to create a desired chemical reaction orreduce/eliminate consumption or oxidation of the electrodes. Eitherelectrode 108 or 110 can be the anode. Typically, the anode producesmore EMR than the cathode. Thus, in order to take advantage and maximizethe use of wave energy, both electrodes may move in the directions asshown by arrow 610 in order to place the electrodes in the mosteffective treatment zones for treating a particular substance,microorganism or contaminant.

More specifically, the Arc Whirl® Hydrocyclone Reflector 600 includes apump volute or hydrocyclone head 502, a throat 602, a parabolicreflector 606, and a wave energy source having a first electrode 108 anda second electrode 110 connected to power supply 118. The pump volute orhydrocyclone head 502 has an inlet 503 and an outlet 508. The throat 602has a first opening 603, a second opening 604 and a central axis 605wherein the first opening 603 is connected to the outlet 508 of the pumpvolute or hydrocyclone head 502. The parabolic reflector 606 has avertex V, a focus F and an opening 607 at the vertex V, wherein theopening 607 is connected to the second opening 604 of the throat 602such that the vertex V and focus F are axially aligned with the centralaxis 605 and the focus F is not located within the throat 602. The firstelectrode 108 is disposed within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head502 that extends through the outlet 508 into the first opening 603 ofthe throat 602 along the central axis 605 of the throat 602. The secondelectrode 110 extends into the parabolic reflector 606 proximate to thefocus F wherein the second electrode 110 that is spaced apart andaxially aligned with first electrode 108. The substance 504 entersthrough the inlet 503 of the pump volute or hydrocyclone head 502 andexits through the opening 607 at the vertex of the parabolic reflector606.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an Arc Whirl® Hydrocyclone Reflector Conduit700 in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The hydrocyclone 502 and reflector 606 (collectively 600 asshown in FIG. 6) are installed on top of a tank 702. The parabolic orelliptical reflector 606 can be utilized to irradiate the water in thetank 702 and increase the residence time or dose. The reflector 606 mayinclude a coating 608, such as a UV enhancing material or asemi-conductor catalyst (e.g., TiO₂). This embodiment of the presentinvention 700 gives rise to several Wave Energy Zones. A Wave EnergyZone 1 is formed by the plasma 612. Plasma emits both EMR and sonicenergy. The EMR emitted from the plasma 612 is based upon the gas aswell as any substances or solids that may become trapped and ionized bythe plasma. Likewise, plasmas contain ionized gases. The ionized gaseswhich consist of electrons and cations may enter into the water and aidin treating the water. Thus, due to the water being in close proximityto the plasma 612 the water may be treated with various forms of waveenergy. In addition, if oxygen is present both atomic oxygen and ozonemay be formed. Both are highly reactive oxidants which can be used fortreating water for disinfection as well as oxidation of organics, metalsand minerals.

A carbon arc produces vacuum UV (VUV). Consequently, as previouslystated VUV photons have a sufficient amount of energy to cleave watermolecules and form highly reactive radicals such as hydroxyl radicals.In addition, VUV photons have a sufficient amount of energy to cleavecarbon-carbon bonds in hydrocarbons. A carbon arc also produces copiousamounts of both near and far infrared (IR) radiation. This will furtherenhance disinfection as well as well as aiding in treating organiccompounds because organics absorb IR and vibrate electrons. Not beingbound by theory, in addition to UV light and sonic energy the IR maycatalyst the destruction of organics and pathogens within the water.

Next, the water enters a second Wave Energy Zone 2. Once again, thewater or substance is treated by several forms of wave energy. First,the thin film umbrella or cone shaped water funnel must pass thru theEMR in Wave Energy Zone 2 then again through the EMR reflected byreflector 606 in Wave Energy Zone 3. Now, what is truly unique andunobvious is that if the position of electrode 110 is within the water,and the water is conductive, then the water will be treated by anotherform of wave energy—electrolysis.

This gives rise to treating heavy metals such as selium found in uraniummills wastewater effluent. The metals may be plated unto the electrode110 if operated as the cathode.

The tank 702 may consist simply of a very long pipe. The benefits ofirradiating down the longitudinal axis of a pipe are discussed in USPatent Number 5,832,361 which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Likewise, the tank or pipe 702 forms a Wave Energy Zone 3 inwhich the EMR reflected by reflector 606 passes through the water (ortreated substance) and filter media or filters 704. It is in this zonethat residence time can be dramatically increased by simply increasingthe diameter of the tank 702 with an appropriate reflector or increasingthe length or depth of the conduit 702.

In addition a filter media or one or more filters 704 may be added tothe tank 702. This allows for a stand alone water treatment system thatdisinfects and removes turbidity which can be used in remote areas ofthe world. A prototype similar to FIG. 7 was constructed using 5 twelvevolt DC batteries operated in series. A one inch arc was maintainedusing 60 volts and 20 amps to produce about a one kW UV radiation systemwhich completely illuminated the plastic tank 702. The batteries wererecharged with a multi-charger designed to charge batteries in series.Of course it will be understood that the batteries could be rechargedwith a green energy source such as a wind turbine, photovoltaic cell orhydroturbine. Also, the present invention gives rise to a highly mobileand portable emergency response water treatment system for the military,municipalities and emergency responders. The Arc Whirl® can be attachedto the battery cell of any of the new hybrid vehicles. Note that the ArcWhirl® Hydrocyclone Reflector Conduit 700 is not limited to justtreating water. Other substances, including but not limited to liquidsand fluids, can be treated with the Arc Whirl® Hydrocyclone ReflectorConduit 700.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 any hydrocyclone, cyclone head or volute502 can easily be modified for the present invention by means of thefollowing method. By attaching a reflector 606 to the underflow of thehydrocyclone 502 this allows for a novel method for treating substanceswith wave energy. As previously explained EMR can be reflected byvarious means known in the art. However, the apex valve of thehydrocyclone must be removed in order to form an umbrella shape. Inaddition, the insertion of the carbon rod 108 will substantially plugthe overflow. The reason for removing the apex valve is part of thenovel method for forming an umbrella shaped upside down water funnel.

While tank testing a hydrocyclone, the apex valve was removed from theunderflow of a standard hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone overflowdischarge valve was shut for the test. When water was flowed through thehydrocyclone, upon exiting through the bottom or underflow of thehydrocyclone, the water fanned out and formed a very thin umbrella shapeand maintained an air core along the entire central axis of thehydrocyclone. This was completely unexpected because prior to this testa straight piece of tubing with the same diameter of the bottom of thecone was tested and resulted in a twisted rope discharge.

What is not obvious and completely unexpected is a unique method andapparatus for treating small volumes as well as extremely large volumesof substances. By introducing an inert gas, such as argon, into thesystem a gas bubble core will be formed and maintained within thehydrocyclone and reflector. Since the argon is less dense then water itwill remain in the upper section of the system even when the system isnot in operation. When in operation, the argon will seek the center andform a gas core. When an arc is struck between the electrodes 108 and110 the argon will ionize and form the whirling plasma 612 core. Thereare several primary reasons for using argon. First, argon is inert anddoes not affect or react with water. Second, the argon shields thecarbon electrodes thus increasing the life expectancy of the electrodes.Also, argon is easy to ionize and is an ideal plasma gas.

As previously described in reference to FIG. 5, one of the electrodes108 in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be connected to a pushrod 514 that is connectedto an actuator 516 in order to strike an arc and create plasma core 612.The pushrod 514 and actuator 516 are not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in orderto simply the drawings. The actuator 516 moves the electrode 108 untilit touches electrode 110. When electrodes 108 and 110 touch, a deadshort forms when the electrodes 108 and 110 are connected to a powersupply 118. Next, electrode 108 is retracted thus forcing electrons toflow through the gas core and converting the gas core to an ionized gastypically referred to as a plasma. In lieu of moving the electrode 108,the pushrod 514 can move and touch the electrode 110. The pushrod 514acts as a stinger to pull the arc from one electrode 110 to the otherelectrode 108.

Now referring to FIG. 8, Multiple Arc Whirls® in Tank 800 in accordancewith an eighth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Thereis virtually no limit to the size of tank, container or vessel 802, theArc Whirl® can be adapted to in addition to the flow rate. For example,5 megawatt DC power supplies are available from HDR Ametek. Likewise,graphite electrodes are available in sizes up to 6 feet in diameter.Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 extremely large tanks can be treated withmultiple Arc Whirls® as described in reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 12A,12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 13A, 13B and 13C.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an Arc Whirl® with a Filter 900 in accordancewith a ninth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Thisembodiment can be a retrofit of current filter media or filter(s) 704,such as sand filters, to once again produce a stand alone substancetreatment system using Arc Whirl® devices as previously described inreference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Thus, this rapid retrofit does notrequire any tank modifications. In addition, the Arc Whirl® filterretrofit is quite inexpensive when compared to traditional UV radiationsystems.

For example, the total costs for constructing the one kW Arc Whirl® wasabout $3,000 US. The least expensive one kW UV radiation system on themarket today retails for about $26,000. It consists of 26 lamps in avessel. Thus, from both a capital expense cost as well as operatingcosts the present invention's Arc Whirl® is far superior. Simply put, inremote areas of the world where sunshine or wind is available, theelectrical operating costs can be reduced to nothing. Likewise, the sizeand weight of the one kW system as well as the current 100 KW model canfit into the trunk of a small car.

A 4 inch 100 kW Arc Whirl® was constructed and tested with paint boothwater at an automobile plant. The paint booth water was black, opaque,had an extremely obnoxious odor and had an extremely high bacteriacount. The paint booth water was treated with the Arc Whirl® in a firstand second pass. The paint booth water changed colors to a transparentyellow tint and the water was odor free. Lab tests revealed a 99.99%bacteria kill.

Now referring to FIG. 10, a flow chart of a method 1000 of treating asubstance in accordance with the present invention is shown. A waveenergy source, such as the Arc Whirl® device as previously described inreference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, is provided in block 1002 and a thin filmof the substance whirling around the wave energy source is created suchthat one or more wave energies irradiate the substance in block 1004.The one or more wave energies may include an ultraviolet radiation, avacuum ultraviolet radiation, an infrared radiation, visible lightradiation, microwave radiation, infrared radiation, sonic energy, anultrasonic energy, an electrolysis or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow chart of another method 1100 oftreating a substance in accordance with the present invention is shown.A first electrode 108 and a second electrode 110 are provided that areaxially aligned with one another and connected to a power supply 118 inblock 1102. An arc is struck between the first electrode 108 and thesecond electrode 110 in block 1104. A plasma core 612 is created betweenthe first electrode 108 and the second electrode 110 that generates oneor more wave energies in block 1106 and a thin film of the substancewhirling around the wave energy source 612 is created such that one ormore wave energies irradiate the substance in block 1108.

Enhancing Wave Energy Zone 1

Returning now to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 12A-E and 13A-13C, Wave Energy Zone 1can be dramatically enhanced with an additional wave energy source thatdirectly or indirectly couples to the plasma core 612 and one or more ofthe electrodes 108 or 110 depending on the location of the second waveenergy source. The Arc Whirl® of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 can be improved asshown in FIGS. 12A-12E and FIGS. 13A-13C by adding a second wave energysource to the Arc Whirl®. The second wave energy source can be: (a) aradio frequency coil or winding 1202 disposed inside the throat 506(FIG. 12D), embedded within the throat 506 (FIG. 12C), or disposedaround the throat 506 (FIGS. 12A) or throat 602 (FIG. 13A); (b) awaveguide that surrounds the throat (FIG. 12B) or throat 602 (FIG. 13B)and a microwave source coupled to the waveguide; (c) one more plasmatorches connected tangentially to the throat 506 (FIG. 12E) or throat602 (FIG. 13C) or (d) a combination or other wave energy sourcepresently known or developed in the future. The second energy source canbe added to entire throat 506 or 602, or only a portion of the throat506 or 602. Moreover, the second energy source can be extended or addedto the reflector 606 in a similar manner. The EMR is transmitted throughan EMR permeable (i.e., transparent or semi-transparent to the EMR)portion of the throat 506 or 602 to inductively couple the RF radiationto the plasma core 612 and any electrode (e.g., 108) within the EMRproduced by the second wave energy source. Induction heating with radiofrequency is common throughout manufacturing industries and inductivelycoupled plasma torches are widely used for solid, liquid and gasanalysis via ICP mass spectrometry. Thus, further elaboration withregards to induction coupling is not necessary to practice the currentinvention as disclosed. The one or more plasma torches in FIGS. 12E or13C are directly coupled to the plasma core 612.

Referring now to FIG. 12A an Arc Whirl® Volute 1200 in accordance withtenth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A volute orcyclone head 502 is utilized to produce angular momentum. When asubstance (e.g., a liquid, a gas or a mixture thereof) is introducedinto the cyclone as shown by arrow 504, the substance flows in a circleabout a central axis forming a whirlpool or whirl flow and generatingangular momentum. In applying the method of the present invention, quitesimply electrodes such as carbon or graphite rods 108 and 110 arelocated along the central core or axis of the angular momentumgenerator—the volute 502. One electrode 108 is placed within the volute502 while the other 110 is located outside of a throat 506. Whenreferring to a pump, the throat 506 is actually the pump's suctioninlet. When in operation, the substance flows into the volute 502 viaarrow 504 and forms whirl flow with an air core if open to atmosphere.The whirlpool enters into the throat 506 and the substance must increasein velocity due to the conservation of angular momentum. As soon as thewhirlpool exits the throat 506 at an exit point 508 the substancecontinues to whirl as shown by arrow 510 but immediately expandsoutwardly as shown by arrows 512. The whirling substance takes on a thinfilm umbrella or thin film upside down funnel shape with a very largeair core. The thickness of the film will depend on the density andconsistency of the substance. The unique shape or profile of the whirlmethod of the present invention gives rise to an entirely new method fortreating substances. Since a low pressure gas core is formed along thecentral axis, then an arc can be struck and maintained within thecentral gas core and within the umbrella or upside down funnel. In orderto strike an arc and convert the gas core to an arc plasma core, one ofthe electrodes 108 can be connected to a pushrod 514 that is connectedto an actuator 516. The actuator 516 moves the electrode 108 until ittouches electrode 110. When electrodes 108 and 110 touch, a dead shortforms when the electrodes are connected to a power supply. Next,electrode 108 is retracted thus forcing electrons to flow through thegas core and converting the gas core to an ionized gas typicallyreferred to as a plasma. In lieu of moving the electrode 108, thepushrod 514 can move and touch the electrode 110. The pushrod 514 actsas a stinger to pull the arc from one electrode 110 to the otherelectrode 108. The plasma can be dramatically enhanced by adding asecond wave energy source. A radio frequency (“RF”) coil or winding 1202is attached around the throat 506 to emit wave energy 1204. The throat506 may be constructed of a material that transmits, reflects and/orabsorbs RF radiation. If the goal is to inductively couple to theelectrode 108 and the plasma, then the throat 506 would be constructedof a RF permeable material (i.e., transparent or semi-transparent to theRF radiation). On the other hand, if the goal is to emit infrared (“IR”)radiation into the throat region, then the throat 506 material would beconstructed of a material that absorbs RF radiation and has a high IRemisitivity. Both Graphite and Silicon Carbide, SiC, are suitablematerials. Any material which will absorb RF and can emit IR is asuitable throat 506 material for practicing the current invention. Inaddition, an additional RF coil or winding 1206 can be attached around aportion of the parabolic reflector 606 that is made of a similar RFpermeable material as described above.

For example, the Arc Whirl® was tested with a throat 506 made ofgraphite surrounded by an Ambrel RF Coil 507 with an RF power supplymanufactured by Ambrel of Scottsville, N.Y. Compressed air was flowedinto the volute 502. The graphite throat 506 was heated to red hot. TheRF power supply parameters were 26.3 kW, 400 volts with 406.71 secondsrun time at a frequency of 11.1 KHz.

Likewise, the Arc Whirl® was tested with a throat 506 made of siliconcarbide, a SiC Spiro Core manufactured by Spin Works of Erie, Pa. AnAmbrel Ecoheat 45 RF power supply was attached to a RF coil 507. The RFcoil 507 surrounded the SiC throat 506. Internal temperatures wererecorded and the maximum internal throat 506 wall temperature was 4,094°F. This was completely unexpected because the manufacturer, Spin Works,has rated its SiC Spiro Core's at a maximum use temperature of 2,300° F.At 4,094° F. the SiC throat 506 could only be viewed with a #5 welder'sshield due to the intense IR irradiating from its surface.

Consequently, by installing an RF absorbing throat 506 and irradiatingthe throat 506 with wave energy selected from the RF spectrum, the RFcan be absorbed and emitted as IR to enhance and improve theeffectiveness of Wave Energy Zone 1 for treating substances. A uniqueand truly unobvious method can be applied for treating substances ofvarious densities. It is well known that a cyclone separator is adensity separator. Less dense matter seeks the center core, while moredense matter reports to or near the wall of the cyclone. In this uniqueand unobvious mode of operation matter of various densities can betreated with different forms of wave energy. For example, largerparticles and more dense matter will be treated with IR emitted from thethroat 506, while less dense matter will be treated with wave energyproduced from the plasma arc.

Now, it will be fully understood that the throat 506 may be constructedof a material transparent to RF. Consequently, the matter orcontaminants within a substance, such as water, may absorb the RF EMR,or the graphite electrode 108 can be used as a susceptor for absorbingRF and emitting IR. In addition, it is well known that RF will couple toan arc and/or plasma. This is commonly referred to as an InductivelyCoupled Plasma (“ICP”). Thus, Wave Energy Zone 1 can be enhanced byinductively coupling to the wave energy from the plasma arc or inductionheating of the graphite electrode 108.

Now referring to FIG. 12B, which is an eleventh embodiment 1220 of thepresent invention illustrates an EMR permeable throat 506 that issurround by a microwave waveguide 1222. EMR 1204 within the microwavespectrum is produced by a microwave source 1224 and is transmittedwithin the waveguide 1222 to the EMR permeable throat 506. It is wellknown and well understood that many types of matter can be treated withmicrowaves. Likewise, microwaves, which fall into the RF spectrum willalso couple to a plasma and to hot matter. An old saying with microwavesis that the hotter it gets the quicker it gets hot. This happens when asharp metal object is placed within a microwave oven. The metal willheat up in lieu of reflecting the microwaves and may reach a temperatureof thermionic emission. Thermionic emission is when a substance isheated to a temperature that an electron is ejected from the materialcausing a spark or plasma. A method, process and apparatus has beendisclosed for enhancing the effectiveness of Wave Energy Zone 1 with EMRcovering the entire RF spectrum from microwaves to radio frequencywaves. In addition, an additional waveguide 1226 can be attached arounda portion of the parabolic reflector 606 that is made of a similar EMRpermeable material as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 12C, a twelfth embodiment 1240 of the presentinvention as shown that dramatically enhances the treatmenteffectiveness of matter with hot gas bubbles and EMR. The throat 506 isconstructed of a porous tube 1242, as previously describe in referenceto FIGS. 3 (304) and 4 (404). An RF coil or winding 1202 is used fornon-contact heating of the porous tube 1242 via induction heating. Anyfluid can be flowed into the throat inlet 1244. In other words, thethroat 506 includes a porous inner portion 1242 and a throat inlet 1244connected to the porous inner portion. The fluid will increase intemperature as it traverses through the porous tube wall 1242. The hotmicroscopic sized bubbles will traverse from the internal wall of theporous tube 1242 into the center of the whirling substance 510. Thiswill aid in stripping contaminants from the fluid and into the plasmaarc. In addition, if a substance is used, then the RF coil or winding1202 can be solid and thus does not need to be tubing in order to coolthe RF coil or winding 1202. Water is an ideal fluid. Likewise, hydrogenperoxide, H₂O₂, is an ideal fluid. When H₂O₂ decomposes it forms waterand oxygen. Thus, this unique and unobvious method, process andapparatus for heating fluids with an inductively heated porous materialgives rise to an entirely new type of heater. For example, if steam anda combustible gas, such as natural gas, are flowed into throat inlet1244, and the porous SiC Tube is heated to temperatures in excess of3,000° F., the gas mixture will be reformed into syngas consisting ofhydrogen and carbon monoxide. The water flowing in a whirlpool as shownby 510 will scrub the syngas mixture. The syngas will then enter intothe plasma to enhance the spectrum and effectiveness of Wave Energy Zone1.

On the other hand, Porous Tube 1242 Throat 506 can be manufactured of anEMR transparent material such as alumina, plastic, glass and/orfiberglass in order for the RF energy to enter into Wave Energy Zone 1.This would allow for the system to operate as a combined Cyclone GasSparger Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch.

Now referring to FIG. 12D, a thirteenth embodiment 1260 of the presentinvention is disclosed by installing an RF coil or winding 1202 insidethe throat 506.

Referring now to FIG. 12E, a fourteenth embodiment 1280 of the presentinvention is disclosed by installing one or more plasma torches (e.g.,1282 a and 1282 b) tangentially within the throat 560 to inject a plasmainto Wave Energy Zone 1 in the same whirling direction as the substancebeing treated. What is unique and unobvious about this approach is thatthe torches 1282 a and 1282 b can simply be an electrode with theopposite polarity of electrode 108 or 110. Thus, when dead shortedagainst its opposite polarity electrode it will form a plasma arcbetween the electrodes. This will dramatically enhance Wave Energy Zone1. However, plasma torches commonly available such as ESAB's PT19 torchcan be used to enhance the effectiveness of Wave Energy Zone 1. Adetailed explanation of plasma torches aligned tangentially within acyclone is described disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/577,130 filed on Oct. 9, 2009 and entitled “Plasma Whirl ReactorApparatus and Methods of Use” and applications related thereto which arehereby incorporated by reference. In the present invention, one torchwill suffice since the bulk substance will keep the plasma off of thethroat 602.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show additional embodiments 1300, 1320 and 1340of the present invention wherein a cone shaped throat 602 is usedinstead of a straight throat 506. The details and operation of devices1300, 1320 and 1340 are basically the same as described in reference toFIGS. 12A, 12B and 12E. Note that a cone shaped throat 602 can also beused in place of the straight throat 506 in FIGS. 12C and 12D. Porouscones on the bottom of cyclone hoppers are known to prevent bridging andsticking of material. With respect to FIG. 13B, a thin whirling fluidsuch as brine, frac flowback from oil and gas well fracturing, producedwater from oil and gas wells or any fluid that rapidly absorbsmicrowaves can be quickly treated with this method. For example, any offgases formed and/or stripped will rapidly flow to the plasma arc centerdue to being less dense. Consequently not only is the water treated, butalso dissolved gases such as hydrogen sulfide can be treated with thePlasma ArcWhirl®. With respect to FIG. 13C, the gas from tank 614 may beused as the plasma gas for torch 1282 a and 1282 b.

The present invention overcomes two major problems with InductivelyCoupled Plasma—igniting and sustaining the plasma. By centering the arcwith electrodes and then coupling to the plasma arc and electrodes witha second wave energy source, such as RF and/or microwaves a smaller DCpower supply can be utilized. Likewise, this allows for smallerelectrodes. However, it is the arc between the electrodes that allowsfor growing and forming a very dense inductively couple plasma that isextremely difficult to extinguish.

Likewise, this configuration solves a third major problem with the useof plasma—plasma confinement. Plasma confinement is necessary in orderto keep the plasma from reaching the plasma facing material alsoreferred to in the present invention as the throat. The whirling fluidis always more dense then the plasma. Likewise, cold gases are moredense then hot gases. Thus, the hot gases will always seek the centerplasma arc void.

Now referring to FIG. 14, a method 1400 for treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention is shown. A first and second waveenergy source is provided using an apparatus as described in referenceto FIGS. 12 and 13 in block 1402. The apparatus includes: (a) a voluteor cyclone head having an inlet and an outlet, (b) a throat having afirst opening, a second opening and a central axis, wherein the firstopening is connected to the outlet of the volute or cyclone head, (c) aparabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at thevertex, wherein the opening is connected to the second opening of thethroat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with thecentral axis and the focus is not located within the throat, (d) a firstwave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute orcyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening ofthe throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrodeextending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus whereinthe second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with firstelectrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside thethroat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. Aplasma core is created using the first wave energy source that generatesone or more wave energies by striking an arc between a first electrodeand a second electrode that are axially aligned with one another and areconnected to a power supply in block 1404. The second wave energy sourceis then coupled to the plasma core in block 1406. The second wave energysource can also be coupled to the first electrode and/or the secondelectrode. Moreover, the coupling can be direct or indirect. A substanceis supplied to an inlet of the apparatus in block 1408 and the substanceis irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first andsecond wave energy sources in block 1410.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a method 1500 for treating a substance inaccordance with the present invention is shown. A first and second waveenergy source is provided using an apparatus as described in referenceto FIGS. 12 and 13 in block 1402. The apparatus includes: (a) a voluteor cyclone head having an inlet and an outlet, (b) a throat having afirst opening, a second opening and a central axis, wherein the firstopening is connected to the outlet of the volute or cyclone head, (c) aparabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at thevertex, wherein the opening is connected to the second opening of thethroat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with thecentral axis and the focus is not located within the throat, (d) a firstwave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute orcyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening ofthe throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrodeextending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus whereinthe second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with firstelectrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside thethroat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. Aplasma core is created using the first wave energy source that generatesone or more wave energies by striking an arc between a first electrodeand a second electrode that are axially aligned with one another and areconnected to a power supply in block 1404. The second wave energy sourceis then coupled to the plasma core in block 1406. The second wave energysource can also be coupled to the first electrode and/or the secondelectrode. Moreover, the coupling can be direct or indirect. A currentsupplied to the first and second electrodes by the power supply isreduced or turned off in block 1502 wherein the plasma core is sustainedby the second wave energy source. A substance is supplied to an inlet ofthe apparatus in block 1408 and the substance is irradiated with one ormore wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sourcesin block 1410. The irradiated substance is exposed to a catalyst inblock 1504 and filtered in block 1506.

The following non-limiting examples of treatment applications in whichthe present invention may be used are provided to demonstrate the rangeof utility of the invention as well as the novelty of the inventiveconcept. These examples also illustrate the extremely urgent need forsuch an invention in the context of health and environmental safetyissues.

Mycobacteria in Metal Working Fluids

Environmental opportunistic mycobacteria, have been implicated inoutbreaks of a variety of respiratory problems in a wide variety ofsettings. One common feature of the outbreaks has been exposure toaerosols. Aerosols are generated from metalworking fluids duringmachining and grinding operations as well as from other sources such asindoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and water-damaged buildings. In theindustrial setting, an estimated 1.2 million workers in the UnitedStates are exposed to aerosols generated by metal grinding, and thefinancial and social impacts of respiratory problems experienced bythese workers are substantial. Mycobacteria are readily aerosolized andare resistant to disinfection. In the vast majority of outbreaks ofrespiratory problems attributed to aerosolized mycobacteria, the watersources of the aerosols had been disinfected. In fact, it is believedthat conventional disinfection may select for the predominance andgrowth of mycobacteria.

The present invention provides the ability to subject fluids such asmetalworking fluids to a plurality of wave energy sources, andaccordingly shows great promise for effective elimination and control ofmycobacteria and other biological contaminants in those fluids. Thoughmycobacteria can survive chemical disinfection, it is believed that thebacterial will not survive exposure to the combination of UV radiationand free electrons from the carbon arc of the present invention,especially with the further combination of sonic wave energy fromcavitation effects. Elimination or reduction of respiratory problems inthe work place associated with metal working fluids will havesignificant financial benefits in affected industries, as well assignificant social benefits from the reduction of those health problems.

Poultry Chiller Water

Statistically, each person in the United States consumes 44 kg (96 lb)of poultry meat annually. Poultry accounts for about 36% of meatconsumption, second only to beef in the American diet. The wholesomenessof poultry products has a profound impact on public safety and health.The U.S. poultry industry produced 20 billion pounds of chicken and 6billion pounds of turkey each year. Almost all poultry products areproduced in “ready-to-cook” forms from automated plants of multimillionbird capacity. In these plants, birds are slaughtered, defeathered,eviscerated, rinsed, chilled, and packed. Chilling carcasses rapidly tobelow 40° F. is crucial for minimizing microbial growth and preservingcarcass quality. It is accomplished by immersing rinsed carcasses in icywater in one, two, or three long tanks, the chillers. Many processorsuse chlorine to control microbial populations in poultry chiller water(PCW). Presently, chlorine and its hydration products, hypochlorous acidand hypochlorite, are the only disinfectants permitted by the regulatoryagencies for use in PCW (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1993).

Poultry chiller water is known for its high content of organic matter.Chlorination of PCW results in the formation of trihalomethanes,primarily chloroform, and other mutagenic compounds that have yet to beidentified. Although the health impact of these potentially deleteriouscompounds has not been established, providing alternative methods fordisinfecting PCW is highly desirable. Further, the recycling of chillerwater may offer a way to prevent environmental pollution while helpingto conserve valuable water resources.

It is believed that treatment of PCW with the high intensity UVradiation and free electrons generated by the carbon arc of the presentinvention, especially when the PCW is controlled to be exposed to thosewave energies in a thin film in close proximity to the energy sourcewill overcome the prior art disadvantages of intensity and path lengthand result in safe and effective disinfection of the PCW. The treatmenteffectiveness can be enhanced within the scope of the present inventionby further combining the sonic wave energy associated with cavitationwith the carbon arc wave energies by conducting the treatment in, e.g.,the REVEX™ MTU apparatus.

Marine Ballast Water

Invasive aquatic species are one of the four greatest threats to theworld's oceans, and can cause extremely severe environmental, economicand public health impacts. The introduction of invasive marine speciesinto new environments by ships' ballast water has been identified as oneof the four greatest threats to the world's oceans. Shipping moves over80% of the world's commodities and transfers approximately 3 to 5billion tons of ballast water internationally each year. A similarvolume may also be transferred domestically within countries and regionseach year. Ballast water is absolutely essential to the safe andefficient operation of modem shipping, providing balance and stabilityto un-laden ships. However, it may also pose a serious ecological,economic and health threat.

Reballasting at sea, as recommended by the IMO guidelines, currentlyprovides the best-available measure to reduce the risk of transfer ofharmful aquatic organisms, but is subject to serious ship-safety limits.Even when it can be fully implemented, this technique is less than 100%effective in removing organisms from ballast water. Some parties evensuggest that reballasting at sea may itself contribute to the widerdispersal of harmful species, and that island states located ‘down-stream’ of mid-ocean reballasting areas may be at particular riskfrom this practice. It is therefore extremely important thatalternative, effective ballast water management and/or treatment methodsare developed as soon as possible, to replace reballasting at sea.

MTBE in Drinking Water

MTBE, a gasoline additive, has contaminated many aquifers. Due to itshigh solubility it is extremely difficult to remove from water. However,when a carbon arc is incorporated in the central core of, preferably,the REVEX™ MTU, it is believed that the combination of cavitation energywith UV light energy and free electrons from the carbon arc will have asynergistic effect for the removal and/or decomposition of MTBE withoutthe necessity of removing it from the water. Without being bound bytheory, it is believed that oxidants such as free radicals, hydrogenperoxide and ozone will form from cavitation and from the contact of airwith the carbon arc plasma. As a result, the MTBE will be oxidized tocarbon dioxide and water.

Pathogens such as Anthrax and Legionella in Drinking Water and/or Air

The synergistic affect of cavitation, UV light, and insitu generatedoxidants produced by the apparatus of the present invention will have adeleterious affect on pathogens such as anthrax and legionella. Thepresent invention can be used in a dual approach by scrubbing air toremove pathogens and then recirculating the substance for a pathogenkill.

Paint Booth VOCs

Typically, a downdraft waterfall scrubber is used to scrub VOCs from airexiting from a paint point. As a result, the water is contaminated withVOCs. Without being bound by theory it is believed that the use of,preferably, the REVEX' MTU in the present invention will achieve atransfer of the VOCs from the water into the carbon arc core. The VOCswithin the core will be thermally oxidized. This illustrates that thepresent invention can be utilized as a thermal oxidizer.

Spent Caustic

Spent caustic solutions generated from refineries and petrochemicalfacilities are usually considered a hazardous waste due to the presenceof benzene. It is believed that the present invention, utilizing,preferably, Revex.™. MTU apparatus, can clean the spent caustic bystripping the benzene from the caustic solution and subsequentlydecomposing the benzene within the apparatus with the carbon arc plasma.

COD-Chemical Oxygen Demand

Not being bound by theory it is believed that the carbon arc/gas-spargedhydrocyclone system can reduce COD in industrial wastewater. To theextent that the COD is not completely oxidized to carbon dioxide andwater, it is believed that the present invention will convert COD intoorganic matter that can be decomposed in a biological wastewatertreatment facility.

The foregoing description of the apparatus and methods of the inventionin preferred and alternative embodiments and variations, and theforegoing examples of processes for which the invention may bebeneficially used, are intended to be illustrative and not for purposesof limitation. The invention is susceptible to still further variationsand alternative embodiments within the full scope of the invention,recited in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for treating a substance comprising:a volute or cyclone head having an inlet and an outlet; a throat havinga first opening, a second opening and a central axis, wherein the firstopening is connected to the outlet of the volute or cyclone head; aparabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at thevertex, wherein the opening is connected to the second opening of thethroat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with thecentral axis and the focus is not located within the throat; a firstwave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute orcyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening ofthe throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrodeextending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus whereinthe second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with firstelectrode; a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat,embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat; and whereinthe substance is directed into the device through the inlet of thevolute or cyclone head such that the substance exits the device throughthe opening at the vertex of the parabolic reflector, and the substanceis irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first andsecond wave energy sources as the substance passes through the device.2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the substance comprisesa flowable solid, a liquid, a gas or a mixture thereof.
 3. The apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein the second wave energy source comprisesone or more radio frequency coils or windings disposed inside at least aportion of the throat.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinthe at least a portion of the throat is transparent or semi-transparentto the one or more wave energies produced by the second wave energysource.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the portion ofthe throat that is transparent or semi-transparent comprises alumina,plastic, glass or fiberglass.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 4,wherein the second wave energy source comprises one or more radiofrequency coils or windings embedded within or disposed around at leasta portion of the throat.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, whereinthe second wave energy source comprises a waveguide surrounding at leasta portion of the throat and a microwave source coupled to the waveguide.8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofthe throat absorbs the one or more wave energies produced by the secondwave energy source and emits an infrared radiation towards the centralaxis.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the portion of thethroat that absorbs the one or more wave energies comprises graphite orsilicon carbide.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thethroat further comprises: a porous inner portion; and a throat inletconnected to the porous inner portion.
 11. The apparatus as recited inclaim 10, further comprising the step of introducing a liquid or gasinto the throat via the throat inlet.
 12. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the liquid comprises water or hydrogen peroxide. 13.The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the gas comprises a steamor a combustible gas.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinthe second wave energy source comprises one or more plasma torchesconnected tangentially to the throat such that a plasma generated by theone or more plasma torches rotates within the throat in a same directionas the substance.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein theplasma torch comprises a third electrode having a polarity that isopposite to a polarity of the first electrode or the second electrode.16. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more waveenergies comprise an ultraviolet radiation, a vacuum ultravioletradiation, an infrared radiation, a visible light radiation, a microwaveradiation, a radio frequency radiation, a sonic energy, an ultrasonicenergy, an electrolysis or a combination thereof.
 17. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the substance is irradiated by the one ormore wave energies produced by: (a) a plasma core created by anelectrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, (b)the second wave energy source, and (c) reflection of the one or morewave energies by the parabolic reflector.
 18. The apparatus as recitedin claim 17, wherein the second wave energy source is directly orinductively coupled to the plasma core.
 19. The apparatus as recited inclaim 18, wherein a current supplied to the first and second electrodesis reduced or turned off after the second wave energy source is coupledto the plasma core, and the plasma core is sustained by the second waveenergy source.
 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein a firstzone of wave energy is created proximate to the plasma core, and asecond zone of wave energy is created within the parabolic reflector.21. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and secondelectrodes comprise carbon, graphite or other electrically conductivematerial.
 22. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a centralcore of gas is provided around the first wave energy source.
 23. Theapparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the gas comprises oxygen,hydrogen, an inert gas or a combination thereof.
 24. The apparatus asrecited in claim 23, wherein the gas reduces oxidation of the first waveenergy source, changes a spectrum of one or more of the wave energies ora combination thereof.
 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 23, whereinthe hydrogen is generated from hydrogen peroxide.
 26. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: a power supplyconnected to the first electrode and the second electrode; a mechanismto strike an arc between the first electrode and the second electrode;and the throat is straight or cone shaped.
 27. The apparatus as recitedin claim 26, wherein the mechanism comprises an actuator to move thefirst electrode into contact with the second electrode, or a pushrod tocontact the second electrode.
 28. The apparatus as recited in claim 27,further comprising a storage vessel attached to the device such that theparabolic reflector is attached to a top of the storage vessel or isdisposed within the storage vessel.
 29. The apparatus as recited inclaim 28, further comprising one or more filters or a filter mediadisposed within the storage vessel.
 30. The apparatus as recited inclaim 29, wherein a third zone of wave energy is created proximate tothe one or more filters or the filter media.
 31. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector is coated with acatalyst.
 32. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondwave energy source is further disposed around the parabolic reflector.33. The apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein the parabolicreflector is transparent or semi-transparent to the one or more waveenergies produced by the second wave energy source and is reflective toultraviolet light.